When Filipino artist Elmer Ortega Dumlao first came to Jordan 15 years ago, he never thought that the barren desert which he saw from his plane as it landed in Jordan would soon be his overflowing wellspring of artistic inspiration.

Elmer’s first solo exhibition entitled “Jordan through the eyes of Elmer” was staged at the Zara Gallery, Grand Hyatt Hotel, Amman in 2010. He reaped generous accolades for his work, including praise for what someone called “an artwork with its own story and sense of history.”

This was soon followed by his art installations entitled “Eye to Eye,” which were also showcased at Zara Gallery, Grand Hyatt Hotel, Amman in June 27 2011. Critics praise Elmer for his admirable appreciation of Jordan’s history, lifestyle and natural beauty, and his uncommon ability to weave these elements into his art.

Elmer Ortega Dumlao obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Fine Arts at the University of Santo Tomas, Manila, in 1981. He worked for some major marketing companies in the Philippines before venturing into the global arena via South East Asia and the Middle East.

In 2011, he received the Bagong Bayani Awards for Culture and the Arts from His Excellency Benigno S. Aquino III, President of the Republic of the Philippines. The Bagong Bayani Awards are given in recognition of the awardees’ contributions towards fostering goodwill among peoples of the world, enhancing the image of the Filipino as a competent and responsible worker, and contributing to the nation’s foreign exchange earnings.

On July 2, 2012, Elmer Dumlao shall exhibit his new work entitled ‘‘Animan” at the Zara Gallery, Grand Hyatt Hotel, in Amman. Everyone is invited to view the exhibit and help the world discover further one of our country’s young artistic treasures.